The Denver Broncos may need help at the safety position. Is a guy like Julian Blackmon a player they should give a hard look at in free agency?
The Denver Broncos have struggled to find consistent safety play post-Justin Simmons. They rolled with P.J. Locke, but he had a pretty bad season. According to Pro Football Focus, Locke graded 99th out of 170 safety grades recorded on coverage and 150th out of 170 in run defense. Not ideal.
And sure, we take PFF grades with a grain of salt, but when it aligns with what our eyeballs told us then you use it. Would a guy like Julian Blackmon help shore up the position?
Player Profile
Player: Julian Blackmon
Position: Safety
Height: 6-0
Weight: 202 pounds
Age: 26 years old
Experience: 6th NFL season
Why the Broncos should sign safety Julian Blackmon
The former third-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 has had a decent career thus far and has been a part of some good defenses in Indy in recent years. At 26, he is also entering his prime years and the perfect type of free agent for a team looking to improve without breaking the salary cap.
Blackmon is coming off a one-year deal with the Colts for $3.89 million and, frankly, he underperformed last season. That will make him an attractive second wave free agent signing for the Broncos and even after a down season he would have been a vast improvement over Locke’s 2024 campaign.
Why the Broncos should not sign safety Julian Blackmon
The down year is a concern. He ranked very poorly in run support getting the 147th out of 170 safeties in run defense grades via PFF. However, you’d be signing him for his coverage grade as he finished 23rd out of 170 in pass defense.
I think the only reason not to target Blackmon in free agency is if his market is much busier than anticipated. I wouldn’t want to break the bank to sign a guy like Blackmon given he is not a top tier starter in the NFL. He’ll be a solid improvement over Locke, but only if the price is right.
Final Thoughts
Google AI believes Blackmon’s market is around a three-year deal for $21 million deal. That would be about the top end range of what I’d be comfortable with. Anything higher on the yearly would be too much, I think.
Either way, the Broncos need to find a way to improve at the position. I think Blackmon would be a decent enough upgrade — especially in coverage — to make this defense much better in 2025. What do you think the Broncos should do at the position?